More Potter news...

A new trilogy of Harry Potter spin-off films has been announced, inspired by J.K. Rowling's spin off title 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'. The three films will feature Newt Scamander, the fictional author of the book used frequently by Harry, Hermione and Ron, with the first being released in 2016.

Nominations for the Carnegie Medal 2015

Nominations for the 2015 Carnegie Medal have just been published. The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) have nominated 91 titles for the Carnegie Medal and 71 titles for the Greenaway Medal.

Kevin Brooks, last year's Carnegie winner, is on the list again with his sinister mystery about Travis Delaney, a junior detective story but with so much more (Northern Irish troubles, jihad and rivalries between the intelligence agencies to name but a few).

SLA Information Book Award

The School Library Association Book Award for 2014 has been awarded to Get into Art: Animals by Susie Brooks. The children's choice winner was Starving the Anxiety Gremlin by Kate Collins-Donnelly, a book on CBT techniques for teenagers and young adults, full of practical help for those suffering from anxiety.

Diversity in children's books

Sita Brahmachari

There has been considerable discussion recently about diversity in children's and young adult books. Malorie Blackman reignited the debate in the summer and suffered online racist abuse as a result.
This week Benjamin Zephaniah and Sita Brahmachari have both spoken about their own experiences and of the need for everyone to be represented in today's literature . Read their comments in these Guardian articles.

Pottermore

J.K.Rowling is counting down to Halloween by playing 'Trick or Treat'. Every day at 4pm, beginning 16th October, Pottermore will be releasing a trick or treat to perplex or delight!

Reader beware, you're in for a scare...

Do you dare read an unknown and simply terrifying book? A special Halloween reading promotion begins this Saturday. Choose a Trick or a Treat bag and discover either a spellbinding fantasy or ghastly horror book. The genre is up to you- but the title is a surprise.